Chapter 1

In the year 1762 of Dou Calendar, June.

In Leizhou, Jinshan County, within the Jinshan Dao Academy.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, dawn imminent.

Amid the rapid clatter of wooden clappers, the Jinshan Dao Academy apprentices rose one by one, yawning, then performed their daily essential ritual—defecating.

Xu Jin was no exception.

But before heading to the latrine, Xu Jin turned back, entered his room, and took out three or four pebbles he had picked up, then went inside.

The bamboo tally sticks inside the latrine were used to wipe one’s backside, but worse, they were reused.

After one apprentice finished, the next would rinse it in the bucket and use it again.

No one knew how often the water was changed—it was already murky.

Because of this alone, Xu Jin, who had only crossed over here a few months ago, could not bear it.

He desperately wanted to go back, though the chance was slim, but he had to try.

Over three months in this world, he no longer dreamed of long legs, slender waists, black straight hair, beer, lobster, or spicy hot pot—he only longed for the cheap, convenient toilet paper from his past life.

But this was not the deepest reason Xu Jin wanted to return.

After attending to his personal needs, Xu Jin joined the group of apprentices, hurried to the morning practice grounds, quickly found his spot, and stripped off his top, revealing a ribcage like a skeleton.

At the center of his chest, faintly visible, was a circular tattoo the size of a baby’s fist—the pattern matched his skin tone, only the lines subtly discernible.

Across the entire morning practice grounds, apart from a small number of female apprentices, nearly all male apprentices had stripped off their tops like Xu Jin.

But most were strong and muscular; Xu Jin, with his bony frame, was unique.

This body Xu Jin had crossed into had problems.

Moments later, a sliver of daylight suddenly pierced the east. A sharp, metallic clang echoed at the edge of the grounds. A slender woman in light blue training attire, her face veiled in gauze, leaning on a cane, appeared like a whirlwind at the front of the square.

Though he had seen this scene hundreds of times, each time it still stunned Xu Jin.

Even the flying men of his past life could not run faster than this one-legged Instructor Ning.

She was Ning Yuchan, the instructor for this spring’s Star Marking session—the boys called her Iron Cane Ning, or Ning the Rakshasa, and many privately called her Ning the Lame; Xu Jin dared not.

“The dawn Xia appears—begin the Meal the Xia Form!”

Instantly, the boys stepped forward, crouched slightly, arms loosely cradled, facing the first sliver of dawn, eyes half-closed, neither fully relaxed nor tense, beginning to inhale and exhale as if swallowing the morning Xia .

Each inhalation and exhalation lasted ten seconds.

Only moments passed, and changes appeared on the bodies of these hundreds of boys, clearly stratified.

One boy, after just one breath, his chest star-tattoo glowed brightly, emitting faint starlight that, with each inhale and exhale, spread across his entire chest and abdomen, then covered his hands, now creeping toward his right leg.

Instructor Ning Yuchan’s gaze toward this boy was clearly the most satisfied.

Another dozen or so boys had their chest star-tattoos glowing faintly, but their starlight mostly covered only the chest and abdomen; a few had it creeping toward their hands.

Over forty boys, with each breath, saw their chest star-tattoo’s glow spread only within the chest and abdomen.

The remaining three hundred or so boys, like Xu Jin, had their chest star-tattoos still dim and dark; occasionally the glow flickered, then quickly faded.

Instructor Ning’s gaze swept across these boys.

Only a few days remained—how many more boys would successfully solidify their star-tattoos?

At this moment, Xu Jin was also diligently practicing the Meal the Xia Form, visualizing the star-tattoo on his chest while imagining the Xia light of heaven and earth drawn into his mouth and channeled into the star-tattoo.

Extremely focused.

With each inhale and exhale, Xu Jin’s chest star-tattoo began to flicker faintly, but each time it glowed, the light would immediately fade.

Clearly, as the Meal the Xia Form continued, the duration of the glow on Xu Jin’s chest star-tattoo grew longer.

The possibility of fully igniting it increased.

Even Instructor Ning Yuchan’s glances toward Xu Jin became more frequent.

Xu Jin was somewhat unusual—she still hoped this boy would succeed in solidifying his star-tattoo.

Suddenly, Ning Yuchan’s gaze flickered toward Xu Jin—his lips, moments ago rosy, had turned blue-black, his face rapidly losing color.

“Again!”

She sighed inwardly, leaned on her cane, and moved toward Xu Jin. Before she could reach him, Xu Jin groaned and collapsed.

As before, his lips were blue-black, his heartbeat drumming, sweat pouring like water, mouth wide open, gasping for breath, his trembling right hand reaching for the pouch at his waist—but he could not grasp it.

Before Instructor Ning arrived, a boy surnamed Qian had already Shulian ly taken a Heart-Saving Pill from Xu Jin’s waist pouch and slipped it into his mouth.

“Only practice the Meal the Xia breathing form—do not visualize anything.”

Soon, Xu Jin’s breathing steadied, the blue-black fading from his face. Ning Yuchan left, saying, “You’re unwell—don’t train today.” She shook her head helplessly.

Xu Jin had decent talent, but his body had a problem—congenital.

Xu Jin himself looked equally helpless.

This had happened three times since he crossed over.

And based on the limited medical knowledge he’d picked up from online videos in his past life, this body was almost certainly suffering from congenital heart disease.

His predecessor likely died from it.

And he himself had triggered it four times during cultivation.

This was the fundamental reason Xu Jin wanted to return.

This world was still fascinating—he’d heard of Star Mages who could chase stars and outrun the moon; he still wanted to explore it, especially with the cultivation opportunity before him.

But this body seemed to have congenital heart disease—constantly feeling a heavy stone pressing on his chest, breathing labored, and whenever he reached a critical point in cultivation, it triggered an attack, ruining his practice.

If he had a severe attack one day, he’d die instantly.

In any world, staying alive came first.

Moreover, his predecessor’s father had spent everything to send him to the Jinshan Dao Academy precisely because there was a chance here of curing his grave illness.

Of course, only a chance.

That’s why Xu Jin was desperate to return.

He didn’t want to die.

His original body, though not muscular, was perfectly fine.

Normally, returning was impossible—but Xu Jin thought he might try, because he now understood how he had crossed over.

He wanted to try using the same method to return.

During the May Day holiday, Xu Jin had been traveling in Long territory when he passed a dilapidated temple—it turned out to be the Wuhou Shrine. He went in to wander and pay respects.

The temple keeper strongly recommended their Wuhou Shrine’s Star-Exorcism Altar, claiming it couldn’t extend life but could bring fortune and ward off disaster.

Since there was no harm, and Xu Jin had some familiarity with such things, he followed the “better safe than sorry” principle and spent a hundred big yuan to try it.

The Taoist took little money, but the ritual preparations were excellent.

Incense, candles, oil lamps, jade ritual implements, ritual robes, and a short incantation of several dozen characters.

He instructed Xu Jin to don the ritual robe, stand on the Nine Stars, light each star-lamp (oil lamp) and candle, then told Xu Jin to silently recite the incantation nine times—then Xu Jin was here.

Now, Xu Jin wanted to try whether this Star-Exorcism Ritual could send him back.

Since discovering this body’s illness, Xu Jin had been preparing for this—now he only lacked one jade ritual implement.

“Morning practice is over.”

With Instructor Ning Yuchan’s announcement, the three-hour morning practice ended.

Almost everyone looked exhausted—the Meal the Xia Form drained immense mental energy.

But today, Instructor Ning did not leave immediately. She looked at the weary boys and suddenly spoke: “This Star Marking session ends in seven days. The star-tattoos branded on you will vanish then.

In these final seven days, I want you to clear all distractions and devote yourselves entirely to cultivation and study—to strike for Star Marking.

Even if you succeed in Star Marking at the very last moment, you will still receive a C- rating and can still cultivate Star Arts.

But if you fail.” Ning Yuchan’s gaze swept over the boys who had not yet succeeded, “Not only might your families not afford the two hundred taels of silver needed for a second tattooing, but even if you somehow raised the money and succeeded, the highest rating you could earn would be D—unclassified—and whether you could even cultivate Star Arts remains uncertain.

So, in these final seven days, give it everything you’ve got!”

With that, her iron cane tapped once, and she leapt over ten meters, bounding away in a few strides—Ning Yuchan vanished.

Xu Jin slowly rose, sighing helplessly.

He wanted to push harder—but every time he did, he fell ill, nearly dying.

He could only try the Star-Exorcism Ritual.

He had already prepared everything for the ritual—only one jade ritual implement remained: a jade gui.

He had found the jade gui, but jade was precious everywhere; the one he found cost five taels of silver—he still lacked two.

But wherever you go, shit is hard to swallow, and money is hard to earn.

At noon, after half-heartedly attending two Star Martial Six Arts classes, Xu Jin was still fretting over how to earn money when the gatekeeper called his name.

“Xu Jin! Someone’s here to visit you!”

Xu Jin’s face first brightened, then clouded with worry.

In the Jinshan Dao Academy, with no relatives or connections, the only one who would come to visit him was his predecessor’s father, Xu Dajiang.

Xu Dajiang had been extremely kind to his predecessor—or to Xu Jin himself—visiting every half-month without fail, and always fulfilling any request.

Thanks to this cheap old man’s care, Xu Jin’s life after crossing over had been bearable.

But now the problem was: Xu Jin wanted to return.

“Dad! Jiang Er.”

At the entrance of the Jinshan Dao Academy, Xu Dajiang, carrying a sack, and a graceful young girl waited expectantly.

“Jin’er!”

“Brother!”

Seeing Xu Jin approach, his sister Xu Jiang waved happily.

As before, the family of three sat down on the ground beneath a large willow tree not far from the Daoist academy gate, while little sister Xu Jiang unpacked her bundle.

“Brother, here’s your washed change of clothes—take off your dirty ones later, and I’ll take them home to wash. I’ll bring you fresh ones next time.”

“Brother, these are the wheat cakes I baked this morning—they’re still soft.”

“Brother, these are the fried broad beans I stir-fried—crispy as can be.”

“Brother, these are the field frogs I caught from Father’s field—I boiled them and fried them in oil. They’re delicious—try some!”

After sitting down, fourteen-year-old Jiang Er didn’t stop talking or moving her hands, constantly handing him things.

Xu Jin didn’t refuse—he ate heartily.

The Daoist academy provided meals, but only enough to fill the stomach for those who hadn’t yet succeeded in Star Pointing. Xu Jin was weak, so Xu Dajiang gave him extra silver to buy better food for his health—though not much, Xu Jin saved every bit.

This wasn’t resentment; on the contrary, Xu Jin knew clearly that Xu Dajiang had given him everything he had.

“Father, Jiang Er, you two eat too.”

As Xu Jin ate and spoke, he noticed Xu Dajiang and Xu Jiang merely nodded but didn’t touch their food. His hands didn’t stop—he ate while feeding them mouthfuls himself.

From previous visits, Xu Jin had long learned that if he didn’t feed them, these two would never eat.

They were saving every bite for him.

After just a few bites, Xu Dajiang excused himself and moved aside, unwilling to eat more of this good food.

After eating, little sister Xu Jiang fetched water from the river nearby. “Brother, lie on this stone—I’ll wash and comb your hair. Look at your hair—it’s a mess.”

Xu Jin awkwardly murmured an answer and obediently lay down.

The second problem after his reincarnation was his long hair.

Back in his previous life, Xu Jin had worn a buzz cut—facing his own long hair now, he was helpless.

Though he’d improved a bit lately, it was still a wild tangle, strands flying everywhere.

Every time his sister Xu Jiang came, she washed and combed his hair.

Beneath the great willow tree, dappled sunlight fell as Xu Jin lay on the large blue stone, his sister Xu Jiang holding a small wooden comb, her face and eyes full of tenderness as she combed his hair, a gentle breeze stirring.

In this moment of peace, Xu Jin had never known such tranquility—in either his past or present life.

Having a sister isn’t so bad, Xu Jin thought.

A sister as graceful and gentle as this—you’d search a thousand lantern-lit streets and never find another.

Soon, Xu Jiang had neatly tidied his long hair, bound it up, and combed it into perfect order. Even Xu Jin himself felt refreshed and clear-headed.

“Jin’er, how’s your Star Pointing going?” At last, his father Xu Dajiang, who had been lingering away, came closer.

“Not yet,” Xu Jin said gloomily. “I feel it’s almost ready—but then I fall ill again.”

“Ah!”

Xu Dajiang let out a long sigh, his eyes holding not a trace of disappointment—only deep worry and pain.

Even little sister Xu Jiang’s expression grew tense. “What do we do? Brother’s current Star Pointing cycle is almost over—”

Xu Dajiang shot her a sharp glance, and Jiang Er clamped her lips shut. “Your brother isn’t lazy—I feel if he pushes hard these last few days, he’ll make it.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Jiang Er nodded eagerly.

Without another word, Xu Dajiang pulled a small cloth bundle from his chest. “Jin’er, here’s two taels and three mace of silver—buy yourself better food to strengthen your body. Don’t save it. Eat well, so you’ll have the energy to focus on Star Pointing.”

“I’ve got plenty of strength now—I can earn silver!”

“That’s right, I can earn money too—mending and washing clothes!” Jiang Er chimed in quickly.

Xu Jin’s lips trembled slightly, but in the end, he took the cloth bundle.

“Father, Jiang Er—be careful on your way home.”

Back in his room, Xu Jin’s emotions were complicated.

Would the Star-Exorcism ritual succeed and send him back?

What if it did?

He didn’t want to leave his sister.

After pondering for a while, Xu Jin rose and requested leave from the instructor who taught the Six Arts of Star Martialism. He had enough silver—he needed to prepare the ritual items.

First, survive.

His predecessor probably died from an illness. Xu Jin had lived three months in this world, and with his past life, he was barely twenty-something—he hadn’t lived enough.

Over these three months, Xu Jin had already learned the prices and details of every item needed for the ritual.

After circling the market, he bought all the incense, candles, and oil lamps, then entered a jade shop he’d visited several times before—the shopkeeper recognized him now.

“Young man, back again!”

“Shopkeeper, I’m here to buy that jade gui—did you keep it for me?”

“I kept it. Five taels.”

“Shopkeeper, look how sincere I am—give me a discount. I’ll be back often,” Xu Jin smiled.

Being poor, every bit saved mattered.

The shopkeeper glanced at Xu Jin, thought for a moment, then placed the jade gui on a tray and handed it to him. “You’re truly sincere. Four taels and eight mace—that’s the best I can offer.”

“Thank you!”

He now had nearly everything needed for the Star-Exorcism ritual. Next, he must arrange his possible final affairs, then find a quiet, undisturbed place to set up the altar and perform the rite.

(End of Chapter)